Spain hamlet going to pot

Related Links

Rasquera - What about growing marijuana to pay off municipal debt? One Spanish village is putting the idea to a vote.

The referendum on Tuesday in Rasquera, population 960, in the northeastern Catalonia region is a quirky, legally touchy illustration of Spain's deep financial woes.

The seven-member town council first approved the idea in March, but it ignited such controversy that the mayor agreed to put it to a referendum in the hamlet of mostly retirees.

At least 75% must be in favour for the plan to go ahead. If that happens, a plot of land will be leased to an association of marijuana buffs in Barcelona who would grow the plants and pay Rasquera €1.3m. Some 40 jobs - growing, harvesting and packaging the pot - would allegedly be created.

The payment by the pot-smoking group ABCDA is about equal to the debt owed by this picturesque hamlet that sits at the foot of a mountain range and has a castle that dates back to the 12th century.

If the plan does not get enough votes, Mayor Bernat Pallisa says he will resign.

Rasquera is not alone with its debt problems. Spain's economy crashed after a real estate bubble and many cities and towns are desperately trying to cope by cutting spending for health care, education and jobs. Spain has the highest unemployment in the 17-nation eurozone at nearly 23% - nearly 50% for young workers - and it's about to enter another recession.

Pallisa could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. But Jose Maria Insausti, an adviser to the town council, said the mayor feels "this can be a good solution for the local economy and if somebody else has better idea, let them come forward".

Under Spanish law, consumption in private of cannabis in small amounts is allowed. Growing it for sale, or advertising it or selling it are illegal.

Officials with the government's National Drug Plan have said growing marijuana in large amounts as planned in Rasquera would be against the law, and have vowed to block any attempts.

Rasquera believes the initiative is legal, however, because ABCDA has pledged that the marijuana grown there will be for its members only - thus, for private consumption, albeit by a group with 5 000 members.

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Saving your profile

Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location.
If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a
location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to
take affect.

Your Location*

Weather*

Always remember my setting

Saving your settings

Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.